Who is included in the YouTube Illinois Face Blur Settlement?

You are included if you were a YouTube user residing in Illinois and uploaded a video to YouTube on which Face Blur was run.

How much money is in the Settlement Fund?

The Settlement Fund totals $6,022,500, from which approved claims, notice and administration costs, court-approved attorneys’ fees and expenses, and any court-approved service award will be paid.

What is the claim deadline?

Claim Forms must be submitted online or postmarked by November 30, 2025.

What are my options besides filing a claim?

You may exclude yourself by December 9, 2025, object by December 9, 2025, attend the Final Approval Hearing on December 30, 2025, or do nothing and give up your right to sue while receiving no payment.

How will payments be made and when?

Payments are estimated at about $200 per valid claim but may vary based on participation and court-approved deductions. If final approval is granted, payments are expected to be sent about two months after the Final Approval Order, by check or electronically via Zelle, PayPal, or direct deposit.

YouTube Illinois Face Blur Privacy Class Action BIPA Settlement

By Steve Levine

YouTube Illinois Face Blur Biometric Privacy Settlement

Published: August 28, 2025

Claim Deadline: November 30, 2025

Payout Award: $200

Proof Required: Yes

What is this class action about?

A $6,022,500 class action settlement has been reached with YouTube, LLC and Google LLC. The lawsuit claimed the Face Blur feature involved biometric data collection in violation of Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act. YouTube and Google deny the allegations and state Face Blur is a privacy protective feature. However, they have agreed to settle for $6 million as this avoids the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation.

YouTube Face Blur is a built-in editing feature in YouTube Studio that relies on AI to identify faces in uploaded videos. It allows creators to choose which faces to obscure, apply a blur that follows their movements, and save the edits directly to the video without the need to upload it again. The tool is designed to help protect privacy or hide individuals who should not appear on screen.

What is the Total Settlement Amount?

The total Class Action Settlement Fund is $6,022,500.

How Do I Qualify For a Payout?

You may be eligible if you lived in Illinois and uploaded a video to YouTube on which Face Blur was run.

How Much Can I Get?

Approved claimants will receive an estimated $200, subject to a pro rata adjustment based on the number of valid claims and court-approved deductions from the fund. Payments can be sent by check or electronically through Zelle, PayPal, or direct deposit.

When Will I Be Paid?

The Final Approval Hearing is set for December 30, 2025. If the Court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved, payments are expected to be distributed about two months after entry of the Final Approval Order.

How Do I File a Claim?

Submit a Claim Form by November 30, 2025.

What time period does the settlement cover?

The Settlement Class includes Illinois residents who uploaded a YouTube video on which the Face Blur tool was run at any time from the launch of the feature through the date of preliminary approval of the settlement. The precise dates are listed in the official Settlement Agreement and Notice.

Do I need to have lived in Illinois when Face Blur was run?

Yes. You must have been residing in Illinois at the time you uploaded a video and used the Face Blur feature in order to qualify as a Settlement Class Member.

How do I know if Face Blur was run on my video?

If you used YouTube’s built-in Face Blur editing tool on an uploaded video, that video qualifies. If you are unsure, you can check your YouTube Studio editing history or contact the Settlement Administrator for guidance.

- Online: Settlement Website
- By Mail: YouTube Biometric Privacy Settlement Administrator - Check the link above for their mailing address.

Official Notice

Submit Claim

Sources

• Official Settlement Website

Filing Class Action Settlement Claims

This is a news article for informational purposes. OpenClassActions.com is not the settlement administrator or a law firm. For help with your claim, contact the administrator or Class Counsel above.

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Settlement Summary
Status	Preliminarily Approved
Claim Form Deadline	November 30, 2025
Settlement Amount	$6,022,500 Common Fund
Settlement Category	Privacy / Biometric
Estimated Payout per Person	About $200 per valid claim (pro rata)
Proof Required	Yes
Exclusion Deadline	December 9, 2025
Objection Deadline	December 9, 2025
Final Approval Hearing	December 30, 2025
Case Number	3:22-cv-06987-JD
Case Title	Colombo v. YouTube, LLC and Google LLC
Settlement Website	Settlement Website
Settlement Administrator	Verita